RUGBY FOOTBALL

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 16 July 1928, Page 2

RUGBY FOOTBALL

GENERAL NOTES WORLD'S RUGBY CHAMPjiONS If South Africa win the piaiority of the test matches against New Zealand this season, they will be undisputed Rugby champions of the world. The Springboks and the All Blacks have twice, proved that they are superior to England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland and France. In 1912, South Africa defeated Scotland (16 points to nil), England (9 to 3), and France (38 to ,5) It is clear, therefore, that the Springboks have no other worlds to conquer in the Old Land. The New Zealanders in 1905 only lost the match against, Wales, and in' 1924 defeated Wales (19 to nil), Ireland (6 to nil), England (17 to 11), and Prance (37 to 8, and 30 to 6). The 1924 All Blacks did not meet Scotland. It is equally clear, therefore, that New Zealand is infinitely superior on the Rugby field to any Home, nation. It was expected that the vexed question of whether South Africa or New Zealand was the better on the Rugby field would be settled once and for all when the Springboks visited this country in .1921. But it was not settler). On our own playing fields, and under our own referees, the Springboks came out all square in the test matches. New Zealand won the. first at Dunedin; South Africa, prevailed in the second at Auckland, and, as all the world kntws, tho third test, at Wellington, resulted in a pointless draw, after one of the most nomeric mud scrambles the world has ever seen. Had New Zealand won this match, they would have made themsolves the Rugby champions of the world. But they did not win it, and our fellows have now to attempt what the South Africans did in 1921—hold their own in tho'test matches. Whoover wins the rubber in South Africa will bo universally hailed as the champion Rugby nation of the world, as both South Africa and New Zealand have already proved their superiority over England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, and France.

At present South Africa is one up and three to go. Next Saturday will show whether it is possible or not for New Zealand to win that championship.

The Wairarapa Boom Old-timers are fond of writing about tho light of other days, and recalling the time when Wairarapa was a power in the Rugby world. We know nothing about that halycon age, but wo can seriously assure all veterans that at no time in her past history could Wairarapa muster anything like as strong a teain as she possesses to-day. It is not too much to say that Wairarapa has one of the best, if not the very strongest fifteen in New Zealand at the present time, and they may very easily regain the Banfnrly Shield, which they lost last season to Manawhenua.

Wairarapa defeated -Hawkes Bay at Napier on the King's Birthday, and they again lowered tlie Magpie colours at Mastertoh oh Saturday . last, when they won by the substantial margin of 13 points to nil. This was a sterling performance when it is remembered that Hawkes Bay fielded a rearguard which comprised Yates at full-back, Huxtable, Blake and Law on the three-quarter line, .South and Bennett as inside backs, and Setford at half. Yet this strong back division was hot allowed to notch a solitary point on Saturday. Strong back and forward, Wairarapa dominated the game. Quentin Donald and "Bull" Irvine, tho 1924 hookers for the All Blacks, gave the Wairarapa backs plenty of the ball, and Cooke, Stringfellow, Ciihdy and Jury had a field day. Wairarapa have a most promising fullback in Rach, who landed a. nice field goal against Hawkes Bay. It will be remembered that this speedy custodian scored a try for Wairarapa against Hawkes Bay in the same match a year ago, when he followed up fast and caught the defenders napping. Wairarapa heat Manawhenua 25-20 this week. Drawn Battle in Mud The, great finale of the Springbok's tour of New Zealand, the famous Rugby third Test at Athletic Park in September, 1921, is the subject of an article by -'Jock" Richardson, the All Black forward, in the series which he has contributed to "The Post" on football memories.

In the interval between the secoml Test at Auckland and the third Test at Wellington the Springboks did a good deal of travelling, including games in the Waikato, against South Auckland, won 6-0; at Napier, against Hawkes Bay, won 14-8; and against a Maori team, 9-8, and a trip over Cook Strait again to play a combined Nelson-Marl-borough team, won 26-3. The Springboks' record up to this point was two defeats, New Zealand first Test and Canterbury 4-6, and a draw against Taranaki; all else was won. Not one in a thousand gave the Springboks a hope of victory on Athletic Park, Wellington, when the ground and the weather were at their very worst. Clay, water, slushy holes, and niore rain to increase the discomfort. The natural embankment and terraces were .qrowded, and many iand ludricrous were the mishaps as gentle ladies were smeared from fur toque to silken heels with the muddiest mud in all the Dominion.

In a great battle neither side could score, the defence being superb. The astonishment of the big crowd was great when the Springboks played right up to the very best wet-ground traditions of New Zealand. And thus ended a match which has been more discussed than even the 1904 5 solitary 3' to'nil defeat by Wales. LOCAL RESULTS Junior Local Rugby results on Saturday were: College 15/ Old Boys .5. Nelson 12, Rover 3. Wakatn 16, Rival 0. Waimea 14, Pirate 3.

Third Class Nelson 8, Rival 5. Wakatn 5, Old Boys 0.